Electrical discharge device and base



July 20, 1948. `w. w. wATRous, JR

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE AND BASE Filed April 26, 1944 Patented July 20, i1948 ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE AND BASE Ward W. Watrous, Jr., Chatham, N. J., assgnor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 26, 1944, Serial' No. 532,730

This invention relates to electrical discharge devices and more particularly to a novel form of base therefor.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide an improved form of base which is interchangeable with other forms of bases commonly used, but which includes in addition a side contact connecting with the grid or other electrode of the device, in order to avoid the necessity for the easily-broken seals sometimes used at the sides of the enevelopes for electron-discharge devices.

Another object of my invention is to provide a base construction which obviates the necessity for the expensive and easily-broken seals through the side walls of envelopes for electrondischarge devices. Y

A further object of my invention is to provide a base which is interchangeable with those at present employed, but which has a side connection functioning as the side wall seal of the device.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a connection with the control grid of an electron-discharge device, by bringing the grid lead inside of the base, through a side wall thereof, and fastening it to a base-wall-connected cap, thereby avoiding the easily-broken side-wall seal and providing a construction in which the vacuum in the envelope is not impaired, even though breakage of the base contact terminal does occur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts, will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the scale drawing;

Figure 1 is an elevational View with parts in vertical section of a thyratron embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view oi the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view, from a slightly diierent angle, of the lower portion of the device shown in Figure 1, with parts broken away to more clearly show the inner construction.

It is current practice in the construction of a number of types of electrical tubes to employ a connecting terminal on the side of the envelope, sealing a lead therefrom through the glass side wall of said envelope, as for connection with one of the electrodes such as the enclosed grid. A device f such a character is illustrated in the Livingston Patent No. 2,044,618.

There are several reasons why such a construction is undesirable. First, the expense of making a side seal, and second, such a terminal is by its very nature mechanically weak, whereby sufcient pressure or a bump easily cracks the glass envelope and ruins the device.

In accordance with my invention I propose t0 11 Claims. (Cl. Z50-27.5)

eliminate such a side seal and the objections above discussed, at the same time making it posthrough the press I 4 of which extendrlead wires making connection with exterior terminal prongs I5 on the bottom of an attached base I6. The opposite end of the envelope is constrctedand capped with a terminal member I'I which makes connection with a depending rod I8 sealed through the glass at the upper part of the constricted portion or dome I9 of the envelope, and carries a member 2| adapted to function as the anode of the device.

Opposed to the anode and suitably supported by lead-in wire 22, and wire 23 the lower end of which is embedded in press I4, isV a cathode generally designated 24 which may be of any suitable construction, for example, such as described in detail and claimed in my application SenNo. 525,659, led March 9, 1944, now Patent No. 2,424,293, Vdated July 22, 1947, and owned by the assignee of the present application. A suitable heater, the lower end portion 20 only of which is shown, and the other end of which may be grounded to the cathode structure, asv described in said patent, is also provided for the cathode, leads from the cathode and opposite ends of lthe heater therefore connecting respectively with three of the prongs I5. As illustrated in Figure 1, the prongs I5 toward the observer, left to right, are connected, respectively, to the cathode and its heater and to the other terminal of said heater, that of the other two to the left is connected to the shield grid 3| through the Wire 33 and connection 40, the remaining prong being connected to the cathode by wire 23.

Between the cathode 24 and anode 2l is a control grid. generally designated 25, which is de- Sirably of the form described and claimed in my application Ser. No. 503,598, filed September 24, 1943, now Patent No. 2,381,632, dated August 7, 1945, and owned by the assignee of the present application, that is, it has a single circular open-v ing for the passage of electrons, said opening being desirably coaxial with thecathode and thev anode. Instead of making a connection withfthe grid 25 through the side of the envelope I2, in accordance with the Livingston and other constructions, I carry the lead 26` from said grid through the press I4, out of an aperture 21 in the side of the base I6, and connect it to an outer contact cap 28, functioning like a side-Wall conaround the cathode and extending along to aboutV the central portion of the grid 25andian upper hollow cylindrical section 32 -extending from just above the central portion of the grid 25 to a posi'- l tion well above the anode 2|, said. sections desirably being coaxial and of equal diameter.

transverse baille and is otherwise constructed in accordance with my Patent No. 2,381,632, previously referred to.

The shield gridfsections are desirably carried byfsupporting-wires 33,ln turn` carried-byra co1 lar t30applied to the'stem I3 and clamped see curely'thereto. These wires project upwardly on the outside of said shield grid sections in contact. with the outer surfaces, being lwelded or otherwise secure'd'thereto, The wires preferably extend-.to the upper endof theupper section 32, but-the-upperend portion of each is desirably left.- unwelded, thereby `enabling thesame to be bent outwardlyand carry'a bead 34 lto engage thezenvelopefand brace -the assembly `with .respect to :the-dome I9-of-the-envelope Il, inthe manner described and claimed in my application Ser.No. 476,158,1iledFebruary 17, 1943, now Patent'fNo.- 2,353,775, dated July 18, 1944, and owned byv the assignee of the-present application. A suitable-f-connectionY forthe screen grid sections 3| and.32,is made between one of thesupport wires-.33-and the remainingone of the prongs I5,`

in any desired manner.

ThefbasevIS of .the device illustrated is `desirably `formed of suitable insulating material, such asl Bakelite, some other plastic, glass,-orzmetal withv insulating inserts; The lower section 351s hollow`v andgenerally cylindrical, with its lower end'closed by a 'lower -wall 36 in which the upper portions of'the prongs," I5 are embedded in aconventional or-suitableamanner. The diameter and heightof the section35,-as well as the size of the prongs I5 ymay be conventional, so as to interchange withelectron deviceshaving'pear or other shaped .envelopeswith side-wall. `connections 4with the grids, likein thefLivingston patent referred to,so that. my. improved device may interchange with such devices,

The upper .portion`3''is hollow cylindrical, with its minimumLinternal. diameter greater than the.

maximumy external diameter of the section 35, with its inner surface,l however, desrablyaring upward slightlysoas to nestingly receive the lower'portion of the. envelope I2. The lower portion'thereoi is `connected with the upper edge of the lower section 35 by an annular web 38, which may also be considered as an inwardly extending flange on said Aupper-cylidrical portion V3'l,`which is of `Aa diameter lpreferably larger than that of the lower section35. Of course, the diameter is determined bythe size of the envelope, the lower 4portion of which it receives.

Thegrid Acap 28, is desirably formed of Vbrass or the like,'andmounted on the strong moulded shell or base 4IIS which; Vbecause `of its .construction, isextremelydiiiicult to break.A Furthermore; if'it were''broker1,'thevacuum within the envelopewould not thereby be impaired.: The cap'maydoe fastened `to vthe side wall of said en larged'base portion 3l in any desired manner, asl'byA the use'of` a self-tapping screw 39. Said portion '3ll desirablyjhasa ridge14,f0r "other ir' Each; shield-grid section desirablyL has an annular regularity, interlocking with the correspondinglyformed edge 4| of the cap 28 to prevent undesired turning ofthe latterf: The-ridgefll, if used, provides :a :thickened section .as `part of, the rim of the portion 31, adapting it for the more secure reception of the screw 39 in a correspondingly threaded apertured portion of said thickened section screwthe -shank'of which passes through a hole Iinthe'outer wall of the cap 28 and the head n of whichengages'the preferably countersunk edge portionsdening said hole.

From theforegoing disclosure it will be seen that VI have'provided an improved electron devicehaving a moulded base of novel form, including an addition to the four prongs for making .connection withthe cathode,.,cathode: heater terminals, .and screen. grid,.'as Patent No. 2,424,293,` previously referred to, a side contact forV the controlgrid, Besides securing, anv additional contactby this means,.I also get one which.

has insulationxesistance..with .respect to the. bot. m DI0I1gS-high'er thanth'at between said bottom prongs.,N

Althoughlapreferred embodiment ofY my in,V vention has been disclosed,- itlwill be ,understoodv thatmodificationsv maybe made within kthe spirity and scope of the appended claims.h

I claim: p 1. A`base for. anelectrical devicecomprising a hollow portionwith a pli'1ra.lity,oi:`` Contact elements, a hollow generally-cylindrical portion of minimum internal diameter larger .thanthe max. imum .external diameter of said first-.mentioned hollow portion toreceivea Vyportion-cof the venvelopeof said device, connected vtoone end of. said `first-mentioned portion by a flat web outstanding peripherally therefrom, a contact mem-.- ber on .saidrportion of larger diameter, and an aperture in saidv larger cylindrical portion to receive a lead to said.l Contact. member.

2.*A, base ,for an.: electrical discharge-,device comprisinga hollow generall'yf-cylindrical- .por-A tion with. a pluralityof axially-,extending prongs to t a conventional. socket, a.ho1low generallycylindrical portion. ,of -ininimum` internal transverse section larger than .the maximum external,

transversersection of said .fistfmentioned v.hollow portion to receive anend portionof the envelope of said device, connected to said first-mentioned portion by a flat web,outstandingperipherally therefrom, and a ,contact memberon said portion larger in. transverse section.,

3. A Ybasefor anlelelctrical device moldedina tegrally from plastic material, comprising ahollow generally-cylindrical .portionV closed,atv one end by a wall from which contact prongsextend,v said prongs tting Aa conventional socket, ahollow generally-,cylindrical ,portion of correspondingly'larger diameterconnected to theopen end of saidfirstmentioned. portion by an annular inwardlyf-extendingV end flange, said larger portion beingfadapted'toreceivean end'portion of said electrical 'device and apertured .for Ythe passage of a lead therethrough, .a contact cap, and a screw Y passing` therethrough and threadably securing it to vvsuch a .larger portion -`adjacent said aperture.

inV order vtoibesecured .to said leadf.

Ll; Abase for an. .ele,ctricalidevicemoldedin-v tegrally from plastic material Vand comprising, a

lower hollow' portionfroznlwhich, contact prongs projectanv upper hollow portionconnected tothe lower portion and 'of `larger diameter, said upper portion having a ridge thickening apart ofits,

cured to said rim by a screw passing into the ridged portion thereof.

5. An electrical device comprising an evacuated envelop-e, electrodes therein, a heater for one of said electrodes, and a base -for said device comprising; rst, a hollow portion with a plurality of outwardly-projecting contact elements, .respectively connecting with one of said electrodes and said heater, and seco-nd, a hollow generallycylindrical portion of larger diameter for receiving an end portion of said envelope, said base portions being united by a flat annular flange extending between adjacent end portions thereof, and a contact member, on `the side of said portion of larger diameter, connected` to a lead from another of said electrodes.

6. An electrical discharge device comprising an axially elongated evacuated envelope, a cathode therein, a heater for said cathode, an anode disposed in said envelope near one end, opposite said cathode and axially spaced therefrom, a grid disposed between said cathode and anode, an outer contact at o-ne end of said envelope and connected to said anode, and a base for said device comprising a hollow portion with a plurality of contact elements respectively connected to said cathode and heater, a hollow generally-cylindri cal base portion of larger diameter for receiving the end portion of said envelope opposite to said outer contact, and a at web extending at an angle to the sides of both base portions and uniting the adjacent ends thereof, and a contact member on the side of said portion of larger diameter and connected to a lead from said grid.

7. An electrical discharge device comprising an evacuated envelope, a cathode therein, a heater for said cathode, an anode disposed in said envelope near one end, opposite said cathode and axially spaced therefrom, a grid in said envelope disposed between said cathode and anode, an outer contact at one end of said envelope and connected to said anode, and a base comprising a hollow portion carrying a plurality of contact elements to t a conventional socket and respectively connecting with said cathode and heater, and a base portion larger in cross-section receiving the end portion of said envelope opposite to said outer contact and connected to said firstmentioned base portion by a Wall, the plane of which is transverse to the base axis, disposed adjacent to the received portion of said envelope, and a contact member on the side of said portion of larger diameter and connected to a lead from said grid.

8. An electrical discharge device comprising an axially elongated evacuated envelope, a cathode therein, a heater for said cathode, an anode disposed in said envelope near one end, opposite said cathode and axially spaced therefrom, a grid disposed between said cathode and anode, an outer contact at the upper end of said envelope and connected to said anode, and a base for said device molded integrally from plastic material and comprising a low-er hollow generally cylindrical portion closed at its lower end by a wall from which contact prongs project, said prongs being formed and spaced to fit a conventional socket and connected respectively with said cathode and heater, an upper hollow generally cylindrical portion connected to the lower portion by an annular inwardly extending lower ilange and of correspondingly larger diameter, the lower portion of said envelope tting and secured to said upper generally cylindrical base portion, the latter being apertured, a lead from the grid passing therethrough, and a contact cap united to said lead and secured by a screw to said upper portion adjacent said aperture.

9. An electrical discharge device comprising an evacuated envelope, a cathode therein, a heater for said cathode, an anode disposed in said envelope opposite said cathode, a grid disposed between said cathode and anode, and a base for said device molded integrally from plastic material and comprising a lower hollow portion from which Contact prongs project and an upper hollow portion lconnected to the lower portion and of larger diameter, said upper portion having a thickening ridge, and a hollow contact cap having its edge correspondingly formed, interlocking with said ridge, and secured to said upper portion by a screw passing into the ridged portion thereof, and a lead lfrom said grid passing through said upper portion and electrically connected to said cap.

10. An electrical discharge device comprising an evacuated envelope, a plurality of electrodes therein, a heater for one of said electrodes, an outer contact at an upper end of said envelope and connected to one electrode, and a base for said device comprising a lower hollow generally cylindrical portion closed at its lower end by a wall from which contact prongs project, said prongs being formed and spaced to fit a conventional socket and connected respectively to an electrode and the heater thereof, an upper hollow generally cylindrical portion connected to the lower portion by an annular inwardly-extending lower web and of correspondingly larger diameter, the lower portion of said envelope fitting and secured to said upper generally cylindrical base portion, the latter being apertured, a lead for the remaining electrode passing therethrough, and a contact cap united to said lead and secured by removable means to said upper portion adjacent said aperture.

1l. An electrical discharge device comprising an evacuated envelope, a plurality or electrodes therein, a heater for one of said electrodes, and an insulating base for said device comprising a lower hollow portion from which contact prongs project and an upper hollow portion connected to said lower portion and of larger diameter, said upper portion being thickened by a ridge, and a hollow conductive cap having its edge 'correspondingly cut out, interlocking with said ridge, and secured to said upper portion 4by detachable means passing into the ridge portion thereof.

WARD W. WATROUS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,684,104 Mavrogenis Sept. 11, 1928 1,724,709 Havekost et al l Aug. 13, 1929 1,775,886 Carpenter Sept. 16, 1930 1,876,991 Lowit Sept. 13, 1932 1,880,092 Hull Sept. 27, 1932 1,990,974 Beers Feb. 12, 1935 2,141,256 Suydam Dec. 27, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 285,799 Great Britain Aug. 7, 1928 526,036 Germany June 1, 1931 

